1914-15 Star

Awarded to Surgeon Rear-Admiral Charles Marsh Beadnell CB (1872-1947). A uniface star of four points, the upper covered by a crown, with two crossed swords entwined by a short scroll. Inscription: '1914-15.' An oak garland superimposed upon the whole. Inscription: 'G'. with a 'V' within it. Inscription Reverse: 'FT. SURG.C.M.BEADNELL R.N.' Fitted with a ring and red, white and blue watered-silk ribbon. Mounted on a bar with three others.

Surgeon Rear-Admiral Charles Marsh Beadnell CB was born in Rawalpindi, the son of Major Charles Beadnell RA. He was educated at Cheltenham College and trained at Guy's Hospital. In 1896 he joined the Royal Navy as a surgeon. Beadnell was interested in the technical side of medicine and personally bought an x-ray apparatus and devised an inflatable life jacket. In 1897 he was attached to American forces in the Philippines where he saw front line action. His naval service continued with the naval brigade of HMS 'Powerful' during the Boer War. He was mentioned in despatches for services at Graspan and was present at Stormberg and Paardeberg. During the first part of World War I, he served on cruiser HMS 'Shannon' in the North Sea, joining the torpedo school HMS 'Vernon' in 1917, being promoted to Surgeon Captain in that year. Promoted to Surgeon Rear-Admiral in 1922 he became head of Chatham Hospital and was made Companion of the Bath in 1924. The following year he was appointed Honorary Physician to the King. He retired in 1926. He was president of the Rationalist Press Association and requested no letters, no mourning and no flowers at his funeral.

Object Details

ID: MED1721
Collection: Coins and medals
Type: War medal
Display location: Not on display
Events: World War I, 1914-1918
Date made: circa 1918
People: Beadnell, Charles Marsh
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: Overall: 44 mm
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